Category: Kitchen

Tips for DIY Cabinet Painting

For some of us, a redesigned kitchen is what dreams are made of. Expensive dreams.

But did you know that can completely transform your kitchen and give incredible results, for a fraction of the price: repainting your own kitchen cabinets.

DIY cabinet painting won’t last as long as a professional refacing job or a complete kitchen remodel, but a fresh coat of paint can give your kitchen a completely new lease of life.

It’s not for the faint of heart, and not for all kitchens, but if you’re going to give it a go, read these tips first.

1. Choose the right paint (and color)

Repainting cabinets can give your kitchen a completely new look, so the paint color and quality is really important.

We can’t overemphasize how vital good quality and durable paint is for kitchens: oil and acrylic primers and enamels work well. The paint needs to look good for years, throughout all the cooking, cleaning and wear and tear.

There’s a wide range of high-quality paint options these days, some even waterproof and mold resistant – get advice from your local Oregon DIY store.

Choose a color that will add a pop or one that will match your appliances and countertops, blending well with them or complementing them.

You’ll want a color that will stand the test of time: what was trendy 10 years ago now may just look dated. Choose the wrong color, and it won’t just be you who’ll tire of your kitchen: it may be potential house buyers, too.

Many people play it safe and choose neutral colors, but don’t be afraid to try something brighter that will truly make it feel like home sweet home. You can always repaint the cabinets if you decide to sell up or simply change the style.

2. Give yourself a few days

DIY painting, even if you’re an old hand, takes time. Even for small kitchens.

You’ll need several days for several coats, and organizing your family around this kind of job can be a task on its own.

Cook a few things in advance or plan a few outings to restaurants—you won’t be using your kitchen for a few days!

3. Prep your kitchen area

Does painting sound like fun? Think again! There’s an awful lot of work involved, and prepping your kitchen area is key to hassle-free painting.

Repainting kitchen cabinets is a big task, so prepare well in advance:

Remove everything from the kitchen that can easily be removed (accessories, anything hanging around the counters).
Protect the floor, counters, tables, and appliances with brown paper or similar.
Remove/unscrew drawers, doors, pulls, and handles from all cabinets.
Remove or seal off anything in the cabinets.
Apply masking tape to every edge of the kitchen that the cabinet touches.
Clean all surfaces of your cabinets and remove all traces of grease.
De-fuzz your roller (new or old). You can do this with masking tape, giving it a few squeezes before you unwrap it from the roller.

4. Number your pieces

Skipping this step is perhaps one of the biggest regrets of DIY enthusiasts. Once the cabinet doors, shelves, drawers, pulls and handles (and all their respective screws) are out and strewn about, it can be a really tough puzzle to put them back together again.

How to avoid this headache? Make a rough drawing of your kitchen, and give each cabinet, door, and drawer a number, working your way through the kitchen layout. Then use masking tape and a marker to write down the same number on the matching cabinet, door, and drawer.

Next, remove the hinges and pulls and write their cabinet number on it, then put it in a Ziploc bag along with any screws and bolts. Every cabinet gets its own bag.

When it comes to putting everything back together again, you’ll have a handy diagram and all the bits and pieces in one place, ready to go.

5. Decide to sand or not to sand

Experts are divided over the issue of sanding the cabinet doors or not.

Some prefer to sand the cabinets so that the primer sticks better (also helped by having a thoroughly grease-less cabinet!). Others feel that sanding down wood makes the cabinet more vulnerable to moisture and bacteria.

The general consensus is that if the old paint is chipping or damaged, or if you want to change how the surface of the cabinet looks, then you’re probably better off sanding. Also sand if you’re going to use water-based primer.

Sand lightly (or not at all) if your cabinets are bare wood or have a factory finish, as the paint will likely adhere quite well. Use a light sander to even out scratches or blemishes if you need to.

If you’re going to sand, wear a dust mask and vacuum the cabinet doors and kitchen floors and surfaces, so that dust doesn’t come back to haunt you during painting.

Finish this step off by filling dents, scratches, and holes with wood filler so the primer will go on evenly.

6. Prime with patience

Priming takes time, and it’s the step that many first-time DIY painters tend to skip in their impatience to get started.

But priming is a really important step. Sadly, it’s a step that elicits fear in the heart of first-time painters: standing back to look at your freshly primed cabinets may make you really regret doing it on your own. But fear not: all is as it should be. It’ll look better once the paint is on.

Prime the cabinets the same way you would a wall with a roller, then use a brush for the harder-to-reach areas. If your kitchen cabinets are dark, you may need a second coat of primer once the first is completely dry.

Primer can take several hours to dry completely: look for fast-drying kitchen primer at the store. Waiting also has an added benefit: check everything and make sure all dents and holes have been fixed (you’ll see them better with the primer than without: use a bright light).

Tip: If you want to keep going without having to wait hours to paint the underside of a piece, use push-pins in the corners and flip the cabinet piece over, resting it on the pins as you do the other side.

7. Get a paint sprayer

Once the primer is completely dry, two coats of paint should do the trick.

For professional-looking results, use a spray gun/paint sprayer, which will spread the paint evenly without streaks. It’s much faster to apply and gives a smoother finish (no brush hairs stuck to the paint!). It’s also usually easier to reach those nooks and crannies with a sprayer than with a brush or roller.

But don’t start with this if it’s your first time: it does take some getting used to.

If you’re using rollers and brushes, buy really good professional quality ones. Use plastic wrap in between coats or when you’re not using them; this stops them from drying out. Get the best advice from local paint stores in Oregon.

8. Paint with passion

When it comes to the painting process, keep the faith and keep going!

Start with the inside of the cabinet to get a feel for how your tools, cabinet surface, and paint interact. Mistakes there won’t be seen as easily.

Follow the wood grain and give it light coats of paint so the paint doesn’t drip down the sides of the cabinet pieces.

Don’t be tempted to go heavy on the paint to make it go faster: Any drip mark and you’ll have to sand them down all over again.

When the first coat is dry, use an extra-fine sanding sponge to gently remove specks of dust or little bubbles of paint. Vacuum again if you’re sanding so the dust doesn’t resettle on the new layer of paint.

9. Buy new handles and drawer pulls

After all this hard work, the last thing you’ll want is lackluster results. Changing the handles and drawer pulls will give your newly painted kitchen cabinets a completely new look.

The hands and drawer pulls are where you can really express your personality, especially if you’ve held back on the color, because there are so many great options. Knobs, pulls, handles come in all colors and materials, and so many of them are now easy to install.

It’s so easy to change handles and pulls that you won’t have to worry about wanting to change the look in the future.

An easy way to shop for these is to bring your current one to the hardware store. It’s easiest to buy new ones that have the same screw-hole and will match the cabinet door thickness.

Handles and knobs can feel quite different in the hand, so test them for grip and comfort on mounted boards if possible before making your choice.

10. Consider hiring a professional

We hope these tips have been helpful, but if it’s starting to feel like it’s just going to be too much work, consider hiring a professional painter to do the job for you.

It can be very time consuming to repaint kitchen cabinets, because you have to prep everything, remove the cabinets entirely, prime, paint, wait, and then do everything over again in reverse.

Perhaps consider refacing instead of repainting, which is a cost-effective alternative and offers you lots of design choices. Refacing is simply replacing doors and drawers of your cabinets with new ones, and covering them with a veneer or wood stain. You can reface kitchen cabinets without having to take them apart entirely, and the results will be very professional.

And if you want to change the layout of your kitchen, or if your cabinets are in bad shape, consider a kitchen remodel. A dream, but possibly not unattainable.

How to Choose a Countertop for Your Kitchen

Don’t take it for granite!

Cabinets are usually the first thing people notice in kitchens, but the big decision really is about countertops these days.

The choice of countertop surfaces has a huge impact on the overall scheme of your kitchen—and of your living room, in the case of open-plan kitchens.

With so many more options available nowadays, the decision of which countertop surface to choose is that much harder to make.

Materials for kitchen countertops vary greatly, and so do their properties, advantages, and disadvantages. Some are more durable than others, some more luxurious, and some more easily maintained. Some need to be fitted by experts, some are easier to install. Some are more costly than others.

Always consider function first: how often do you cook, and how do you use your kitchen, generally? What does the rest of the kitchen and house look like?

The choice of kitchen countertop for a country home of a large family that loves to bake won’t be the same as that for the kitchen in a sleek downtown apartment owned by a single professional who rarely cooks.

The kind of sink you have also matters: if you want an undermount sink, this can work with granite and quartz, but an integrated one will need solid surfacing or natural stone.

Here’s a quick breakdown to give you a solid overview of the most popular countertop materials to help you choose the most suitable for your kitchen.

Natural Stone

Natural stone looks amazing, and each slab has unique veining and coloring.

Natural stone countertops are very popular in kitchens around the US and in Oregon. They can be styled with a matte or gloss finish to match your kitchen’s look. They’re highly durable, but they have to be ‘sealed’ regularly because they’re porous.

Granite

Granite is stone formed from volcanic magma that has cooled: as you expect, it can withstand very high temperatures, including a hot pan placed right on top of it.

Granite is very durable and will resist chipping and scratching. It’s easy to clean with a mild detergent and generally resistant. But on lighter-colored granite, it’s better to wipe stains away quickly, especially damaging oil, wine, and citrus- or acid-based foods.

With granite, there’s an element of uniqueness: no two kitchen countertops pieces will look the same. You’ll have a huge amount of variation and options in design. As it’s a natural pattern, you’re getting more than one slab, the coloring may differ between them.

You’ll need a large budget and a professional fitter to install the counter. It needs to be treated and sealed regularly.

Granite is a sophisticated, popular, and beautiful choice, but an expensive one.

Properties

Durable

Heat Resistant

Low Maintenance

Easy to Clean

Expensive

Marble

There’s a good reason Michelangelo chose this beautiful stone for his sculptures.

Marble is beautiful and elegant, and comes in a variety of decorative and natural colors, patterns, and designs. Like granite, the shade may vary between slabs, but this only adds to its appeal.

It’s also highly durable but needs to be sealed properly and more caution is needed. It’s a little softer and more porous than granite, and can more easily (and quickly) absorb damaging liquids like coffee, oils, acidic foods, and can get scratched easily. To prevent damage, you have to maintain and seal it every year

This doesn’t make it a great choice for busy kitchens (but bakers will love it).

Properties

Durable

Not Heat Resistant

High Maintenance

Easy to Clean

Expensive

Soapstone

Soapstone is a natural stone that has become very popular in elegant Oregon homes of late. Soapstone is dark and beautiful with grey, green, and black tones. Some pieces have veining, but they’re usually much more subtle than either granite or marble, giving it a sleeker look.

Like granite, soapstone is highly durable and heat-resistant, so you can put your pans straight from the stove onto the countertop.

Soapstone is non-porous, so it’s more resistant to acidic stains than granite or marble, but it can scratch easily (and visibly). Soapstone is a hygienic surface that’s easy to clean – it just needs a little soap and water. Oiling it regularly brings out its dark, smooth beauty.

Properties

Durable

Heat Resistant

Low Maintenance

Easy to Clean

Expensive

Engineered (Man-Made) Stone

Man-made or engineered stone (are mostly made by compressing natural stone and resin (‘quartz composite’), producing low-maintenance surfaces that are quite durable.

Quartz

As an engineered stone, quartz comes in a variety of beautiful, consistent, glossy colors and patterns. You can add a real pop of personality to your countertop with the choices of color.

Quartz is a much harder and highly durable material that won’t dent or scratch easily. It’s non-porous and won’t stain as easily as some of the natural stones will.

It doesn’t need maintenance, usually comes with a long warranty, and is really easy to clean.

With such qualities, you’ll wonder why it’s not used as much as it could be. The drawback? Quartz isn’t resistant to heat, and it can easily be damaged by hot pans or pots (or direct UV light) placed on it without a heat pad or trivet.

It’s not as expensive as natural stone, and in the case of quartz, you get what you pay for in terms of quality.

Properties

Durable

Not Heat Resistant

Low Maintenance

Easy to Clean

Expensive/ Affordable

Many Color Options

Ceramic

Ceramic, which is made of clay fired up at high temperatures, is one of the oldest man-made materials (we’ve gotten quite good at making it, on the whole.)

Ceramic is very decorative and has a really nice homey feel to it. It comes in lots of different colors and shapes to suit all tastes, and you can truly personalize your kitchen with customizable patterns on the tiles. The pattern can be identical on every tile, so you have a smooth and consistent look.

Ceramic is quite hard, and although some ceramic materials are now more heat-resistant, they may crack under pressure direct impact or high heat – so not too much banging of the pots and plans, please.

Ceramic countertops are easy to install. The tiles are mostly low maintenance and won’t scratch or dent easily. But because of the uneven surface between the tiles, it can stain easily. These stains can be difficult to clean properly, and too much cleaning can leave the tile looking dull.

Properties

Durable

Not Heat Resistant

Low Maintenance

Hard to Clean

Affordable

Many Color Options

Concrete

You might not immediately think of concrete as an option for a kitchen countertop, but modern innovations have made it an increasingly popular choice.

New concrete is much lighter than before, looks very modern, and comes in lots of color varieties, and you can extend that to integrated sinks or backsplashes.

It’s highly durable, as expected, and usually won’t scratch or stain easily if it’s been prepped with a sealer or finishing wax. Once sealed, it can resist heat quite well without a problem. It’s great for food preparation and looks beautiful paired with glass or glossy materials.

Concrete is very affordable. It does need to be installed by a professional, though (or you need to really know what you’re doing).

Properties

Durable

Can Be Heat Resistant

Low Maintenance

Easy to Clean

Affordable

Many Color Options

Laminate and solid surfacing

You’ll find laminate and solid surfacing countertops in plenty of American homes, including lots in Portland, Oregon.

Many of us will be familiar with the term Corian®, Formica® and Staron®, after the brand names. Laminate is a mixture of resin, paper, minerals, and colors formed over high heat and high pressure.

There’s a huge variety of color and design options, and some now even look like natural stone. It’s a great option for modern kitchens: you can get countertops that are really flashy, like spring green, fire-engine red, and sea-blue, which can give a real pop to your kitchen style.

Laminate is very affordable and super easy to maintain and clean (but harder to repair just one section), making it a great choice for rental properties.

Laminate is durable (though not as much as natural stone) and new varieties are much more scratch- and stain-proof than before.

You don’t need to be an expert to fit a laminate countertop: plenty of DIY enthusiasts install it themselves, but laminate can absorb moisture and warp if it’s not sealed properly around sinks and water sources. Properly installed, it gives a seamless wrap-around look to the entire kitchen.

Properties

Not Durable

Somewhat Heat Resistant

Low Maintenance

Easy to Clean

Affordable

Many Color Options

Stainless steel

When you think of stainless steel kitchen countertops, surely you have an image of a restaurant or hospital kitchen.

Not so anymore. Stainless steel has become a popular option for modern kitchens. They look great in kitchens with an industrial look, especially combined with softer colors and materials.

Not everyone loves steel though, which can feel a bit ‘cold’, so think of resale value if you go for this type of countertop.

You can’t get more hygienic than a stainless steel countertop, so easy to clean, stain-proof, and very resistant to heat and water damage. However, you do have to keep removing traces of fingertips all the time!

Over time, stainless steel surfaces can collect scratches and dents, but some like the aged, natural look.

Properties

Durable

Heat Resistant

Low Maintenance

Very Easy to Clean

Affordable

Industrial

Wood

Chefs love the wooden “butcher blocks” for an island or for a regular countertop. Solid wood countertops can warp over time, but butcher blocks, which are assembled hardwood, are much more lasting.

Butcher blocks give a natural, warm, traditional air to a kitchen, but wooden countertops work equally well in modern homes.

Wooden countertops are very functional and offer a great surface for cutting, but the cut marks may make it harder to clean.

Wood stains easily, and is prone to damage from heat and water so it’s best to use this material away from the sink and stove (use on an island, for example). However, you can sand and refinish butcher blocks relatively easily. It also needs to be oiled and maintained regularly.

A great choice for eco-conscious buyers, who can buy butcher block countertops from sustainably harvested FSC- accredited (Forest Stewardship Council) source.

Properties

Durable

Not Heat Resistant

High Maintenance

Not Easy to Clean

Affordable

Traditional

Glass

For a modern touch, glass gives kitchens that wow factor. Glass reflects light and can make a space feel larger than it is.

As it’s non-porous and smooth, it’s easy to clean and very hygienic. Moisture won’t be an issue, though watermarks will show quickly and will need to be wiped if you want to maintain the look.

Glass is somewhat heat-proof if it’s made for the purpose, but it’s better not to risk direct heat and use trivets. Glass can be hardened to make it more durable and less prone to scratches (which can be polished).

Properties

Durable

Heat Resistant

Low Maintenance

Easy to Clean

Somewhat Affordable

Modern

10 Dream Kitchen Design Elements if you Love to Entertain

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If you’re more likely to be found in the kitchen at a party rather than in the living room, then you need a kitchen designed from a chef’s perspective!

The key to a dream kitchen is designing with details in mind. Whether you have an open design or an enclosed space for your kitchen, you can transform the heart of the house into a luxury dream kitchen with small renovations and adjustments.

Here are 10 of our 2019 must-haves ideas for your dream kitchen designs!

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1. Striking lighting

Create the right mood with soft lighting: make your kitchen more Michelin-inspired than diner-inspired with attractive and unique-looking lighting. The design is as important as the lighting itself.

Make sure it has:

Enough wattage to allow you to see what you’re cooking
A distinctive and attractive look that matches your kitchen’s style (statement lighting for a minimalist kitchen, rustic lighting for a coastal home, bohemian lighting for an easy-going kitchen, etc.)
A dimmer so you can adjust the lighting to cooking or entertaining

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Photo by Edwards Interiors & Design, LLC – Browse kitchen photos

2. A fully stocked bar area with seating

Encourage your guests to hop up at “the bar” and feel at home. Have everything at hand in your bar area and pour them a glass as you put the finishing touches on your fantastic meal.

Make sure it has:

Enough counter space to place everything you need (glasses, bottles, lemons, etc.) Comfortable – not just pretty – bar stools
Electrical sockets/plugs
An under-the-counter or table-top drinks fridge

Photo by Design First Interiors – More kitchen ideas

3. A fridge made for entertaining

Some of the newest fridges are made especially for the party-conscious chef: convertible compartments that can be used as either refrigerator or freezer sections. Along with the oven, the fridge is a make-or-break item for many dream kitchens.

Make sure it has:

Convertible refrigerator/freezer compartments
The right dimensions (so it doesn’t stick out past your cabinets when installed)
An icemaker and filtered water dispenser
Split shelves (to store those large bottles of bubbly)

Photo by London Contemporary – Discover kitchen design ideas

4. A beautiful counter-top island

An island is a must-have these days. Use it for extra prepping space or to let your guests sit with you as you cook. Even in a small kitchen, standalone islands can incorporate enough space to pull up a stool.

Make sure it has:

Good quality counter (quartz, granite, or marble)
Enough counter space to lay out a small spread
Subtle overhead lighting
Custom under-the-counter and slide-in storage space

Photo by Kitchens by Eileen – Discover kitchen design inspiration

5. Wireless speakers

Creating the perfect ambiance – even in the kitchen – is all about the details. Add a wireless speaker to the kitchen (top shelf, so moisture doesn’t get to it) so you can cook to your favorite tunes. A Spotify membership will ensure you’re not fiddling with song lists while you cook.

Make sure it has:

A sleek, modern design (or one that matches your kitchen color accents)
Long battery life (if you want to move it around the house)
Great sound, suitable to your kitchen space
Good WiFi reception, if your modem is far from the kitchen

6. Lots of hidden storage

It’s lovely to keep your counter minimal and shiny, but to do that, you need space for everything else. Cabinets, sliding pull-out drawers, and shelves add hidden storage without overwhelming your kitchen cabinets.

Make sure they have:

Deep drawers that slide in and out effortlessly for easy reach
Enough space for larger items like serving platters
A custom design appropriate to your kitchen space (so your cabinets and drawers can integrate features like banquettes)

Photo by Kirstin Havnaer, Hearthstone Interior Design, LLC – Search home design pictures

7. A deep sink

Chefs know the importance of prepping and cleaning. A deep sink is ideal for tight spaces and for those big pots and pans. (Also great to hide an item or two in a deep sink so they’re out of sight).

Make sure it has:

Two basins (60-inch to clean and 40-inch to prep)
Touch-activated, hands-free faucets (ideal for bakers)
A built-in food waste disposal unit
16- or 18-gauge (the lower, the better) if buying a metal sink

Photo by Connecticut Stone – More kitchen ideas

8. A chef’s oven

The one thing your dream kitchen – or any kitchen for keen cooks – can’t do without is a great steam-convection oven so everything bakes evenly…and beautifully. Large glass doors will let you see what’s cooking. Add a backsplash with the same material as your island counter to give it the wow factor.

Make sure it has:

Dual ovens (so you can cook the turkey AND the pie at the same time)
Good ventilation and a (hidden) range hood
Easy-to-use controls so you can focus on recipes, not technical details
A baking drawer (if you love to bake)

Photo by thirdstone inc. [^] – Search kitchen pictures

9. A walk-in pantry

Great cooks need lots of equipment, we know that. And you need space for your homemade wine, kefir, pickles, jams, and experiments. A dream kitchen isn’t complete without a small walk-in pantry where you can place all the tools and ingredients that allow you to create your cooking masterpieces.

Make sure it has:

Lots of shelves and drawers
An even temperature
Great lighting
Extra counter space

Photo by The Closet Works, Inc. – Search kitchen pictures

10. Stunning artwork

Why doesn’t your kitchen deserve the same attention to décor as your living room? Buy artwork that speaks to you and display it in the kitchen. It’ll inspire great dishes and will serve as a talking point for guests.

Make sure it has:

A special meaning for you
Elements that pick up your kitchen’s colors
Protective glass so the canvas doesn’t absorb moisture or cooking odors
Custom-made lighting to show it off

Photo by Gregory Davies Photography – Look for kitchen pictures

A few dream items can translate into a wonderful world of cooking and entertaining. We hope these ideas have inspired you.

At Keith Green Construction, we’ve been designing dream kitchens for clients like you who love to cook, eat, and entertain. Contact us to chat about how we can help you transform your kitchen into a cooking haven.

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9 Kitchen Organization Tips That will Change your Life

The start of a new year is a great time for a fresh start – for yourself and your home! In fact, an organized home is a great first step to making positive changes in your life: You can be more efficient, make the most of your living space, and waste less precious time trying to find things when you need them.

It doesn’t matter how organized you are, most of us can usually think of a corner or two in our homes that can use a little re-organization.

That’s why we’re introducing a new series on home organization. Today, we focus on the kitchen – a room that is often about more than just cooking. It is often a hub where families gather to spend some quality time together. Get your kitchen ship shape with these nine simple organization tips.

Traditional Kitchen

1. Get Cookin’ with Your Utensils

The number one rule of efficient kitchen organization is to store things where you use them. With this principle in mind, consider keeping your utensils within easy reach from your stove.

Credit: Susan Brook Interiors

2. Slicing & Dicing

Use a clever organizer like this one to keep your knives within easy reach of where you do your chopping, without cluttering up your counter space.

Credit: Mediterranean Kitchen

3. The Spice is Right…. Where You Need It!

For a real cook’s kitchen, build your spice rack right into your cabinetry so that you can peruse your collection at a glance.

If you prefer to keep your spices on hand but out of sight, consider a pull-out spice cabinet right by the stove, where you are likely to use them.

If you are tight on storage space but don’t want to compromise on spices, or their accessibility, mount your spice rack to the inside of cabinet door.

Credit: Green Goods

Credit: Roundhouse

Credit: Bunker Workshop

4. Give Your Gadgets a Home

Small kitchen appliances are practical, time-saving devices, but they can overtake your kitchen like dandelions do your lawn in the summer-time. Stow them discreetly out of sight in a streamlined built-in unit like this one, and keep your kitchen pristine without losing out on convenience.

Credit: Studio Dearborn

5. Organization on a Silver Platter

File your platters vertically, so that you never again have to deal with the struggle that ensues when — amid the chaos of your dinner party — you desperately need that bottom platter in the stack.

Credit: Mullet Cabinet

6. Step Up to the Plate

Consider storing dishes within easy reach, inside drawers equipped with a peg board & dowels. It is so much more practical than top cabinets, you’ll wonder why you never thought of doing it before.

Credit: Hemphill’s Rugs & Carpets

7. Go Vertical with Your Cutlery

Here’s an innovative way to organize your flatware. Consider filing your cutlery vertically, especially if you have a large set and are tired of spoons travelling over to where the forks should live, or if you want to mute the irritating clatter you hear every time you open and close the drawer!

8. Family Command Center

Manage the chaos of your family members’ busy lives with a centralized message hub to help you keep track of appointments, schedules, lists and bills. Keep it all in plain sight in a wall-mounted command center, or tuck it away in a clever built-in solution like this one.

Credit: Jenna Burger Design

Credit: Starline Cabinets

Credit: LEICHT New York / LEICHT Westchester

9. Clean Up Your Act!

Keeping your home squeaky clean will be that much easier if your supplies are close at hand. We love the cleaning supply closet at left, and the fact that it is very well equipped, and yet every single item is within easy reach.

Does your kitchen need more than a little re-organizing? Contact Keith Green Construction to find out about our kitchen remodeling and other construction services.

Kitchen Remodeling Tips: Making the Most out of a Small Kitchen

Have you ever noticed that everyone always seems to converge in the kitchen? You have a den, living room or family room… and yet the kitchen is where your family so often gathers, and where priceless memories are created.

Having a small kitchen can cramp your style. Fortunately, there are many kitchen remodeling tricks you can use to make a small kitchen look and feel much roomier.

1. Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

Home designers often use mirrors to fool the eye into thinking a space is much larger than it is. Try adding a mirrored wall or backsplash to your kitchen to create an illusion of grandeur.

Mirrored Wall in a Contemporary Kitchen

2. Glass Cabinetry

Aside from mirrors, there are other ingenious ways to give greater depth to your space. Consider replacing your solid cabinets with glass cabinets, and watch the walls recede. Fill those cabinets with color-coordinated and/or glass dishes to keep the room from looking cluttered.

Glass Cabinets with White and Glass Contents

3. Direct the Eye Upwards

It is well known that high ceilings can make a room look larger. Even if you don’t have high ceilings, you can create the illusion of higher ceilings by directing the eye upwards. To do that, try adding beautiful details to the top of your walls with colorful prints, stunning moldings, or decorative serving dishes.

Direct the Eye Upwards

4. Let the Light in

Brightening up a kitchen can instantly make it look vaster. Try using minimal window treatments to invite natural light. And consider pot lights & streamlined light fixtures to brighten up your kitchen without creating visual clutter.

Contemporary Kitchen with Great Use of Light

5. White is Right

As a general principle, to create the illusion of a larger kitchen, ensure that the eye can glide smoothly over the space without stumbling, by avoiding jarring color contrasts.

Sticking to white is an excellent way to reflect the light you have, and make a small kitchen seem vaster. Unfortunately, an all-white kitchen can also look sterile. Consider using different shades of white, and a blend of textures to warm up your decor.

Traditional Kitchen in a White on White Color Theme

6. Open up the Space

If at all possible, consider opening up a wall to an adjoining room to invite more light and make a small kitchen feel airy.

Traditional Kitchen Borrows Space from an Adjoining Room

7. Sleek Cabinetry

Heavy and ornate cabinetry can weigh down a small space. You can make your kitchen feel much roomier by using sleek cabinets with straight lines and minimal adornments. Consider stainless appliances to reflect light.

Contemporary Kitchen with Sleek Cabinetry

8. Streamlined Furnishings

Try trading in bulky tables and chairs for streamlined, lightweight furnishings with open legs that let you see through to the wall and give a larger sense of space.

Contemporary Kitchen

9. Built-in Kitchen Benches

Fit more seating into a small corner with a built-in kitchen bench. Don’t miss the opportunity for more storage by building in drawers.

Contemporary Kitchen with Built-in Bench

10. Expanse of Tiles

You can make a small stretch of wall seem wider by covering it with an expanse of tiles. Consider small pale tiles that are wider than they are tall, to create the impression of width.

Contemporary Kitchen with Expanse of Tile

11. Recessed Storage

Adding storage cabinets can cut into the square footage of your small kitchen. Try building recessed shelving right into your wall to gain storage without using up valuable floor space.

Contemporary Kitchen with Recessed Storage

12. Efficient Storage

Cluttered surfaces can make a diminutive space look even smaller. Make the most out of your space, with efficient storage solutions that put everything at arm’s reach while keeping your countertops clear.

Efficient Storage Solutions

You can make your small kitchen look and feel roomier by trying some of these clever tricks. Need a little help with your Portland kitchen remodeling? Contact us today.

Kitchen Tiles

by Keith Green Construction

With quality work and waterproofing in mind, Portland tile contractor Keith Green Construction offers tiling projects for remodeling kitchens. Keith Green ensures that every kitchen remodeling job is “done right the first time,” eliminating any remodeling worries.

For kitchen tiling projects, Keith Green Construction always keeps the following in mind:

Uses the best tiles available, gathering materials locally, eliminating any unwanted middle-man costs.
Beautifies your home while supporting other community businesses.
Assures clients that sustainability and green practices are always a priority.
Turning any job into something to be proud of for both adding elegance and value to a home while protecting the environment.

Expression Series Kitchen Cabinetry

by DeWils

Remodel your kitchen to make it an extension of art and beauty of a home with the Expression Series by DeWils. Keith Green Construction your Portland kitchen cabinetry installation contractor proudly installs the Expression Series, enhancing the elegance and tradition of your home for generations to come.

Available a wide variety of styles that come in the following finishes: Mohogany, Alder, Knotty Alder, Hickory, Quarter-sawn White Oak, Eastern Hardrock Maple, Cherry, Red Oak, Thermofoil, Laminate, Engineered Wood.

Traditional design and architecture, created for discerning tastes.
Distinctive lines and deep, rich colors transform the cabinetry into a work of art, adding an unprecedented value to your home.
Additional cabinetry features, such as full-extension drawers and soft, self-closing hardware, come standard with the Designer series.
Rich, deep colors are enhanced by a combination of hand-rubbed staining and conversion varnishing.
Real wood veneers are engineered from fast-growing, sustainable trees, emulating the elegance of exotic wood without the toll on the environment.
Old World Craftsmanship and staining echoes history and tradition.
Built to last for generations and backed by a 12-year Warranty.

Designer Series Kitchen Cabinetry

by DeWils

Impress family and company with the glamour and chic of the Designer Series Kitchen Cabinetry by DeWils. Keith Green Construction, a Portland kitchen cabinetry contractor, proudly installs the Designer Series, remodeling your kitchen into a work of art to be admired.

Design-centered features allows any homeowner to take the creative reigns of their kitchen.
DeWils promises divine distinction with its wide variety of colors and wood species.

Full-extension drawers and soft, self-closing hardware, come standard with the Designer series.
Rich, deep colors are enhanced by a combination of hand-rubbed staining and conversion varnishing.
Real wood veneers are engineered from fast-growing, sustainable trees, emulating the elegance of exotic wood without the toll on the environment.
Old World Craftsmanship and staining echoes history and tradition.
Built to last for generations and backed by a 12-year Warranty.

Horizon Series Kitchen Cabinetry

by DeWils

Keith Green Construction proudly offers the installation of DeWils’ Horizon Series, featuring elegant European-inspired design. Elegant lines and rich, deep colors adorn kitchens, creating a look that lasts for generations.

Full-extension drawers and soft, self-closing hardware, come standard with Horizon Series kitchen cabinets.
Rich, deep colors are enhanced by a combination of hand-rubbed staining and conversion varnishing.
DeWils real wood veneers replicate the beauty and elegance of exotic wood without the toll on the environment.
Construction, coloring and texturing bring out the elegance of exotic woods.
Staining and craftsmanship echo history, tradition and taste.
Built to last for generations, backed by a 12-year Warranty.